A mum whose baby died less than an hour after being born and was subsequently buried during a funeral service says she desperately wants to exhume her body so she can be cremated and brought home.

Ellie Paige Percival, from Gravesend, gave birth to her daughter, Nellie-May, eight weeks early in June.

She arrived "screaming and crying" but a previous scan had already shown the tot had a series of incurable medical problems.

Describing her and her partner Joe's loss, Ellie said: "Our beautiful tiny 3lb 3oz princess gone forever, our hearts are so broken and lost."

Ellie spent a week with her daughter at Demelza Hospice Care for Children, near Sittingbourne, where the couple were able to spend time with their baby, as she wasn’t coming home.

"I was there everyday holding her and making sure she knew she wasn’t on her own," the 22-year-old said.

When it came to her funeral, they opted for a burial, but have agonisingly since realised that was the wrong decision for them.

'I know a lot of people will not understand and I wouldn’t ever want them to but I just want to hold her again...'

Ellie said: "I was in such a bad place mentally and physically I did all her funeral plans and thought a burial was for the best.

"But as time's going on, I just want my little girl back home in my arms so I can wrap her in her blankets.

"I know a lot of people will not understand and I wouldn’t ever want them to but I just want to hold her again."

Ellie, who had previously been told she would never have children, found out she was pregnant in December last year.

Her 12-week scan revealed thickness on the back of Nellie-May's neck but test results came back clear.

She continued to feel ill throughout her pregnancy and endured frequent trips to Darent Valley and Medway Maritime hospitals.

It was after the 20-week scan in April, that she was given the devastating news that her baby would not survive.

"As anyone can imagine it broke my heart and the consultants offered me a termination," said Ellie. "But I couldn’t go through with it.

"Our little girl had the strongest heart rate so I decided to carry on and let her enter the world in her own time."

Nellie-May was born on June 21 but died after just 52 minutes.

'I’m not in employment at the moment as I’m so poorly mentally and just miss my baby girl so much, my body is craving for her...'

Heartbroken Ellie continued: "We have tried to do her grave nicely but foxes keep destroying a lot of stuff and it’s making me feel worse and worse."

As a result, she says they want to exhume Nellie-May's body and have her cremated so her ashes can be brought home.

An online fundraiser has been set up to help cover the costs of the cremation.

"I have spoken to the council already about getting Nellie-May cremated all nearly ready in-place, but it’s going to cost quite a bit," said Ellie.

"I’m not in employment at the moment as I’m so poorly mentally and just miss my baby girl so much, my body is craving for her.

"I would really appreciate everyone’s help even if it’s just £1 to help bring our beautiful daughter Nellie-May home."